MARION – Several hundred children in the Marion area will have a little help getting ready for back-to-school shopping this Saturday.

Trajectory Inc., a call center at 1293 Harding Highway East, is giving away 500 brand new backpacks and some school supplies to elementary school students this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

Store manager Greg Case said students and their families also can visit with the fire department, see some of the new vehicles from the sheriff's office, get fingerprinting done, have their faces painted and get a few books from the United Way.

"We're giving away backpacks to kids from kindergarten through third grade full of school supplies, everything they will need," he said.

Trajectory owner Randy Craig said this idea came from Verizon Wireless' Culture of Good campaign. Trajectory employees help Verizon dealers retain customers long term.

"We wanted to give back to the community," Craig said. "That was a perfect opportunity to us."

Craig said school supplies can be expensive for families.

"We're doing one little piece of this puzzle that'll maybe help kids get a little bit more excited for school," said Craig, a Ridgedale graduate.

He said many businesses in the community have offered to help out or attend the event.

"We're trying to make it about the kids in the community," he said.

USA Today reported a 7.3 percent increase in supply costs in 2013.

Last year, costs for basic supplies were up about $40 to $50 per grade category: $161.27 for elementary school (a 33 percent increase from $120.87), $198 for middle school (a 32 percent increase) and $893 for high school (a 5 percent increase).